TRADERS fear Ledbury is falling behind other towns when it comes to big festive celebrations.

And they are planning a meeting in January to find ways of matching their bustling rivals.

Concern among local people is growing that neighbouring towns such as Malvern and Ross are attracting bigger seasonal crowds and do events, such as the Christmas lights switch-on, bigger and better.

Town councillor Annette Crowe, chairman of the Ledbury Traders' Association, said: “I do think this is something we need to work on. I was looking at Malvern, and I was extremely impressed by what they do there, and so I think we need to up our game.

“We are having a traders'

get-together in January for all Ledbury traders, new or old, and that will be a good opportunity to look at the successes of other towns and see what we need to do.”

Jayne Cresswell, of the Little Shop of Wonders toy shop in Bye Street, said: “The traders are trying to get a group together and hopefully we could get more involved.”

There is also a willingness among residents to get more involved with events, but attending lengthy meetings could pose an obstacle.

Laura Jones said: “I do try to help with things. I did help with the town council's open day, but I am not in the best of health, and I would find sitting through a meeting hard, sometimes.”

Ledbury actually enjoyed one of its best attended Christmas Lights switch-ons in recent times on Saturday, with more than 300 people gathering by the Market House to sing carols and see the lights go on.

But thousands of people went to Malvern’s switch-on, on the same day, where attractions included a large festival crafts market and a vintage car display.